This key facts covers NUCLEAR ENERGY STORE — Energy in Atomic Nuclei within Energy Stores & Systems for GCSE Physics. Revise Energy Stores & Systems in Energy for GCSE Physics with 14 exam-style questions and 30 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 11 of 20 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
☢️ NUCLEAR ENERGY STORE — Energy in Atomic Nuclei
What it is: Energy stored in the nuclei of atoms, bound together by the strong nuclear force — the most powerful force in nature.
Two types of nuclear reaction:
- Fission — heavy nuclei (uranium, plutonium) split into smaller pieces; used in nuclear power stations and atomic bombs
- Fusion — light nuclei (hydrogen) join to form heavier ones (helium); powers the Sun and stars; potential future clean energy
Real-world examples:
- Nuclear power stations — controlled fission of uranium heats water to drive turbines
- The Sun — hydrogen fuses to helium; releases energy as light and heat that reaches Earth
- Radioactive decay — unstable nuclei release energy as radiation (alpha, beta, gamma)
💡 Exam tip: Nuclear energy is the most concentrated store — releasing energy from 1 kg of nuclear fuel releases millions of times more than burning 1 kg of fossil fuel.
Practice questions for Energy Stores & Systems
Which energy store is associated with an object that is moving?
Explain what is meant by a 'closed system' in terms of energy.